Fish and Wildlife Service May 28, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), revise the two depredation orders for double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus, DCCOs). We extend the expiration dates for the orders for 5 years to allow State and Tribal resource management agencies to continue to manage DCCO problems and gather data on the effects of DCCO control actions. We have prepared a final environmental assessment (FEA) to analyze the environmental impacts associated with this extension. We change the annual reporting date for the depredation order to protect public resources, remove requirements for DCCO control activities around bald eagles and bald eagle nests for both orders, and require use of the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines for both orders. We also add a requirement for the use of nontoxic rifle bullets for anyone using centerfire rifles to control DCCOs under the orders, beginning on January 1, 2017.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), in response to an application from Maricopa Sun, LLC (the applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The applicant has prepared the draft Maricopa Sun Solar Complex Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for review. We announce a public comment period on the permit application, including the draft EIS and the proposed HCP. We request data, comments, new information, or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or any other interested party.